What this tracks
This dataset tracks pollution levels and water quality issues in Kansas lakes, identifying specific contaminants that exceed safe limits.
Why it matters to you
Before planning a fishing trip or letting your kids swim in a Kansas lake, check this data to see if the water has high levels of harmful substances like E. coli or mercury. If you’re a farmer near Norton Lake, the “EUTROPHICATION: High” warning tells you fertilizer runoff may be worsening algae blooms downstream. Anglers can use the “DISSOLVED_OXYGEN: Low” alerts to avoid fish kills in oxygen-deprived waters.
How to read this data
LAKE_NAME — Official lake names, sometimes with alternate names in parentheses (e.g., “Norton Lake (Sebelius Lake)”).
DISSOLVED_OXYGEN — Measures oxygen levels fish need to survive; “Low” values mean potential fish kills.
EUTROPHICATION — Rates nutrient pollution that causes algae blooms; “High” means visible green scum likely.
PH — Indicates acidity; “Low” values mean corrosive water that may damage boats or irritate skin.
Try it yourself
Search for your nearest fishing spot by lake name at KDHE’s TMDL portal to see if it has active contamination warnings.